NC, SC and Georgia Explorers

[TarHeel085]

see the westin is cheap, cause im a poor SOB so i was lookin cheap. but the hellas wasnt cheap.

 

[Blue Steel]

piaa's are even less cheap. but they sure shine bright!!

 

[bigDerk]

Here's a thought, what about including Rangers?

Seriously though, there's a few Ranger guys around the Atlanta area, and I'm sure there's some in NC/SC... I was thinking of getting a Offroad Rangers "chapter" started, maybe we could combine, or at least wheel together!

Anyone ever run Tellico before? I think we should plan a run for the people in the GA/NC/SC/TN area, anyone know of a good area with lots of trails that's a pretty central location? Once I get a couple mods on my Ranger I definitely want to go wheelin', but finding people to go with and finding good trails is the hard part.

 

[Blue Steel]

hey, the more the merrier in my opinion. wether it's a mountaineer or tacoma.... as long as you're having fun that's all that counts. heck, i even wheel with jeep people too. as long as you're at least wheeling with one other person to pull you out, it's all good.

 

[bigDerk]

Just found some info on Tellico... Here's a map of the trails, there are 12 trails total, with a few stock/mild rated trails. Sounds like the moderately modified rigs could handle #1, 3, 4, 7, and 8. I would think the trip would be worth it if we could camp out and maybe run some trails twice if we had the time. Maybe we could try to get a run together for early spring when it starts to warm up a little?

Trail Rating Legend

Trails are rated from 1(easiest) to 10 (most difficult). Keep in mind that rain or snow can increase the ratings at Tellico by two to three points.

1-3 feature trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, some of these trails may not require the continual use of four-wheel drive (4WD).

4-7 trails are moderately demanding and require 4WD. You may encounter a wide variety of challenges, including mud holes, boulders, and stream crossings.

8-9 ratings indicate that the likelihood of getting stuck is considerably higher. Mud holes here may be deep and rock climbing will be more arduous. There is a chance for parts breakage and body damage on these trails.

10 is reserved for the rocky, off-camber, most difficult obstacles. Rollovers, breakage and body damage is to be expected here.

Tellico ORV Area Trail Ratings
The Forest Service ratings are italics and then ours are given

Trail #1. Rated Easiest. We agree and give this one a 1. This is the rough dirt road running through ORV area from NC to TN. Even though this is the easiest trail in the ORV area, you still need to pay close attention while driving. One weekend last year (2000) in Sept., two different vehicles ran off the side and rolled down the mountain. It is very steep with nothing to stop you, except a tree if you're lucky.

Trail #2. Rated Moderate. Definetly WRONG! The bottom of 2 is known as the "Rock Garden" and is a solid 8-9 with a couple of real nasty ledges. Which ledge is the toughest depends on what the weather has been and how much traffic the trail has had. Due to erosion and rocks being moved (or stacked) it's hard to say which ledge you'll have the most difficulty with. Be assured though, both are fun! This was the site of SFWDA's Rock Crawling contest during the 2000 Dixie Run, and none of the BIGDOGS completed the course without winching. The upper part of 2 is known as the "Bobsled Run" and is a 7-8. Trail 2 is arguably the "Most Difficult" trail now at Tellico.

Trail #3. Rated Moderate.We believe that it's easier and give it a rating of 2-3. Trail 3 offers a nice view of the bottom of Trail 12 and the backside of Trail 11.

Trail #4. Rated Easiest. We disagree and give it a 4. It has a nice creek crossing and connects to Trail 6; together they run across the entire area and are used to access most other trails.

Trail #5. Rated Moderate. Challenging level 5&6 with some ledges and rocks. The creek crossing that used to be known as "Rough Crossing" has had the obstacles removed that made it a challenge. A bridge is also going to be built across it to reduce the amount of sediment washed into the stream.

Trail #6. Rated Most Difficult. Interesting fun trail, but definitely not in the same league as Lower 2, 9, 11, or 12. It's more of a hard moderate and we rate it a 6-7 going up and a 5-6 coming down.

Trail #7. Rated Moderate. Most of the trail is an easy 2-3 with the exception of one big rock ledge that is a 7-8 and has been the scene of many rollovers. This ledge used to be pretty much impassable to all but the those with extra long wheelbases. However, some recent "trail work" has been performed here and now shorter vehicles can navigate it.Trail 7 is also known as "Peckerwood".

Trail #8. Rated Moderate. We agree and give it a 4-5. Very nice loop trail with some loose rocks that provide excitement.

Trail #9. Rated Most Difficult. Known as "Hard Rock" going up and "Slick Rock" coming down, either way, this trail provides plenty of excitement. The approach to the rock runs right up a creek bed with lots of big, loose muddy boulders that get shifted around each time someone goes up. Steering linkage damage and tires coming off the rim happen quite frequently here. There is no getting around Hard Rock, so when you reach this point on Trail 9 you are committed. The rock has a very smooth surface, is about two stories tall, and has a natural spring at the base to ensure that it's always muddy and wet. There are three lines that can be taken to ascend the rock, you can hang either far left for the easiest approach; far right and it will be an 8-9 climb, or you can attempt the middle and take your chances! This is a favorite place for the locals to gather and watch the show and rollovers are quite common. The fun is not over when you get to the top of Hard Rock either, as there is still a couple of good ledges awaiting you before you run into Trail 8.

Trail #10. Rated Moderate. ATV and motorcycle use only. The only time that we've been on the trail was to haul an injured ATV rider out of the woods in our Jeep. We've not seen the entire trail, but understand it has some tricky sections.

Trail #11. Rated Most Difficult. We give it an 8-9 going up and a 10 going down. The two hard spots are known as "Guardrail" a.k.a. "Half-Way Rock", and "Helicopter Pad". Guardrail is a huge rock face that has a guardrail attached to some trees to keep vehicles from rolling down the mountain. Again there is no "go around" here, so you either have to climb it or pull cable. Shortly after getting up Guardrail you are faced with the decision of hopping on the Helicopter Pad or taking the bypass to the left. If you choose to go up the Pad, pay close attention to the rock outcropping on your left. If your not careful (or lucky) it will leave you with a souvenir all the way down the drivers' side of your vehicle.

Trail #12. Rated Most Difficult. Known as "School Bus" and it is a good 8-9 trail up the mountain. It is a long, steep, rutted hill climb, with many ledges and tight turns. Once you start there is no letting up until you reach the top. Coming down is a lot of fun too, but if your rig has an automatic, disc brakes are highly recommended. This is no place to be in a hurry! For years School Bus was considered the toughest trail at Tellico, but the big ledge at the top has now been smoothed out, so....our vote for the most challenging trail is Lower 2. Come ride them both and decide for yourself!

 

[jasonb]

I'm interested!!!

Jason Boyette
Suwanee, GA
jasonb@bargeron.com

by the way... ive got a westin safari bar also... that makes 4 of us.

 

[Jason_25]

This is great guys. It's finally coming together. I will try to put together a Tellico trip for this spring definitely. About rangers, I'm really not sure. I'll have to see what the other coordinators think. I don't see why not though. I think we definitely need a meet and greet somewhere pretty soon though. That would be great. We could always have one at my house. But it's pretty far for the Georgia guys. Anyway, The web page will be up shortly and we will then start making some definite plans.

Till then,
Jason

 

[TarHeel085]

spring would be good, cause then i will have my license back.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

i live about 50mins from Valdosta. I have been to Tellico. it is amazing. some very difficult trails. i would go with someone who is familiar with the trails and i wouldnt go without knowing full-well the capabilites of your rig. it is absolutely wonderful and there is a little somethign for everyone.

that info that bigderk posted is very acurate and you should be able to find a bunch of websites and articles about the trails. went i was htere with my friends in their toyos i had been rainign and some trail were completely impassible.

i went with some friends from college in their toyotas and my uncle jim in his bronco. im in florida now but lived in nc and va most of my life. good luck.

BTW all of you are very much welcome to come on any run of the Florida Explorer Club check us out Dead Link Removed

 

[bigDerk]

Hey BUCHVILLEMAN, do you think Tellico would be worth the trip for stock/mild rigs? I'd like to go, but not if I couldn't at least run a few of the trails. My truck will only have the torsion twist and the 265/75 BFG AT KO's for quite a while, like until next fall at the soonest, and I wouldn't want too much body damage. If Tellico seems too difficult, which it sounds like it might be for a lot of us, then does anyone know of any good trails local to them that would be worth the trip? A few miles of good trails would be worth it for me, there aren't any real good trails around here and I'd be willing to drive a good ways for an afternoon of good wheelin', not to mention getting to meet all you guys.

 

[BoatsRcool]

yeah i wanna know. all we got here in greenville is illegal stuff. there are a few placs up toward the mtns. one is like 2 miles long. the other is like 45 miles worth of dirt roads, and awesome views of lake keowee and jocassee. but neither is worth traveling more than 1.5 hrs. to.

 

[mdrut]

I have invited you all before, and the invite is still open if you ever want to join us..go to the forums on www.flexplorers.com and click on the "In the Swamp" forum, has details of previous and future plans..
As for Tellico, I have already contacted the gentleman who puts together the "East Coast Bronco Round-up". It was featured in 4wheelparts mag a month or so ago.
What he told me.."Mike, it is FREE to all who would like to come. We would love to have a group of you there"..The meet is the first weekend of June, 2002..I do plan on being there, and there may be some more of the Fl. Club there. This year, they had 110 rigs there.
BTW...I really hope it gets off the ground this time, Good Luck guys..

 

[JDraper]

Hey, keep us "Nawtherner's" updated on this spring Tellico run too. Some of us might make a run down there for some fun. We're also planning a spring outing up here at Paragon if you want to come north. The thread is Dead Link Removed . There are several reasonable cost hotels, and camping near it.

 

[yob_yeknom]

Keep me updated on the Tellico event. I'd most likely be able to attend.

Are Rangers welcome to wheel with us? By all means yes. They're like our cousins, and you always invite family along.
Can the join the ECX? As of right now, no. It kind of defeats the Xplorers part of ECX.

 

[bigDerk]

I was just reading about the Tellico run the Bronc's are doing in June 02... I would LOVE to go to that! Not only to run the trails I could handle, but to watch some of those insane Broncos tear up the trails!

I'm considering going the 3" body lift route with my truck, and if I do that, then I should be able to have that done and some 33" ProComp Xterrain's on my truck before summer... I'd be a bit more confident with my truck with some bigger/better meats and a little more clearance. That's my only holdup on this trip, questioning whether or not I'd be able to enjoy it to the fullest since I won't have a lot of mods. If I could manage to get the body lift, 33's, a limited slip, and some rocksliders, I'd attack those trails like a madman!

 

[BoatsRcool]

id love to go too - -

hopefully, i get out of school right before then, and go to church camp for a week the 2nd week in june, then the third week in june is my birthday

first week at the beach (a lot of high school people) is the first week of june, but i dont think im going.

 

[bikeguy18]

sign me up

Sign me up for the list

David Larkins

Asheville, NC

Bikeguy18@yahoo.com

Since it sounds like everyone that has replied so far has pretty mild trucks you may want to consider Uwharrie Natn'l Forest. They apparently have some nice trails with lots of bypasses and it is generally considered to be suitable for stock and slight modifications. It's located in southern NC about 1 hour south of Greensboro and about 1 hour from SC. Tellico has a reputation for being quite unforgiving if you aren't prepared, or so i've heard.

 

[GJarrett]

Count Me In

I am not on the board much this month since I am on a monthlong fourwheeling vacation out west but I try to borrow a computer every once in awhile and check in. I just noticed this thread.

For those of you who aren't aware, I will be moving to Anderson SC in a month to live near my son. I had talked with Rick about the need for a major run in the east while we were discussing how great the trails are in the west, but nothing seems to be that nice out east. I have read about Tellico and figured that must be the spot for a major east run if it were to happen. I had planned to prerun Tellico sometime next spring and try to coordinate a major Explorer run there. Now I see that you guys are already doing all the work!

I can just tag along, or I'd be happy to participate in any way I can. I will be there for sure (as long as it doesn't end up being scheduled during the same time as one of my son's activities next spring). It would be fun to meet all of you on a major run.

PS/ Jon got your msg and tried to PM you about where I am moving but your PM is full.

 

[bigDerk]

bikeguy18- Thanks for the info on Uhwarrie, that sounds like another possibility for a run. I'm kinda wary about Tellico, from what I've seen it looks to be VERY unforgiving, but I wouldn't mind running a couple of the easy trails.

GJarret, good luck with the move out here! I'm definitely in for an East Coast run, even if I couldn't handle the tougher trails at Tellico. I know there's some other Ranger guys who would love to do some wheelin' out here, if you soccer moms don't mind.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

gerald,
the florida explorer club is planning a run at tellico next year (latespring/early summer.) I will not be able go as my wife is due in may. I just want to give you heads up as i know htat we have guys itching to go.

there are other places to wheels throughout the apps in SC/NC and VA, also the outer banks of NC offer the best fishing and beaches to cruise on (nothing but flat sand but a fun outing.)

let me reassure you that there are some cool places to wheel through-out the mountains, allot of private land. i left before i really got into wheeling but there are events held on regular basis on farms and ranches. there is a big jeep rally every year in OakRidge VA (near Stauntan VA and it is suppossed to be killer.) also state parks have OHV trails that are pretty cool. The Pisgah National Forest near Asheville, NC has some trails that i got to explorer last summer, some real potential.

welcome to the east coast (soon anyway.)